What is a Phlebotomy Technician?

What is a Phlebotomy Technician?

So, what is a phlebotomy technician, and can you become one? Phlebotomy Technicians are healthcare professionals who draw blood for tests, transfusions, research, or blood donations. The Phlebotomy Technician field is expected to grow 27% between 2012 and 2022. The ideal Phlebotomy Technician maintains strong communication skills, attention to detail, general attentiveness, and patience. This page explains exactly what is a phlebotomy technician.

What do Phlebotomy Technicians do?

What is a Phlebotomy Technicians responsibility? What is a Phlebotomy Technicians requirement? Phlebotomy Technicians generally participate in the following duties:

  • Evaluate patients for ability to withstand venipuncture procedure
  • Draw blood from patients and blood donors
  • Explain the venipuncture procedure and answer patient questions (especially if donors are nervous about having their blood drawn)
  • Verify a patient or donor’s identity to ensure proper labeling
  • Label the drawn blood for testing or processing
  • Enter patient information into an onsite database

In medical and diagnostic laboratories, patients often interact only with the phlebotomist.

Phlebotomy Technicians work as part of clinical laboratory teams, usually under the supervision of a doctor. Phlebotomy Technicians work in hospitals and labs. Phlebotomists are often expected to work on nights and weekends. Phlebotomy Techs wear uniforms (scrubs) to maintain the cleanliness of their healthcare facility and the safety of the personnel and patients or donors.

Where do Phlebotomy Technicians work?

In 2012, Phlebotomy Technicians held over 100,000 jobs with the majority of Phlebotomy Techs working in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, blood donor centers and doctor’s offices, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Find out How to Become a Phlebotomy Technician with Medstar Academy.


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